Murong Zhuo smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in his expression. He said, “My mother is my father’s first wife, and it was my father who personally asked for her hand in marriage. But do you know what happened? In just two short years, he took a concubine for the sake of the throne, and a year later, he took another concubine… After that, he never lacked women. Actually, my mother could have lived much longer, but she passed away not long after my father ascended the throne. Do you know why? It was for me! It was to ensure that I could live well, to ensure that I, his son who was named the crown prince the moment he ascended the throne, could live without any worries. My mother took poison and killed herself! Before she died, she told me that the only thing she cared about in her life was me, and her only wish was for me to become a good emperor. Miss Liu, tell me, what am I supposed to do?”
Liu Fang quietly listened to Murong Zhuo’s words, looked at his slightly red eyes, and said, “So, Your Highness, are you planning to fight for it?”
Murong Zhuo smiled, “I’ve always been fighting for it. But no one can compare to you.”
Liu Fang understood. She slowly smiled and said, “I can help you, but can you guarantee that you will be a good emperor?”
Murong Zhuo shook his head, put away his smile and said: “My ability is limited. Without your help, I am afraid I won’t even be able to ascend the throne smoothly. As for the future… I can only say I will do my best, and I will always keep the people in my heart. But, whether I can truly accomplish that…I don’t know. After all, who can predict what will happen in the future?”
Liu Fang smiled sincerely this time, “Your Highness is indeed frank. If you can remain true to your original intentions, I am willing to support you in ascending the throne. And in the future, I will dedicate myself fully to your cause.”
Murong Zhuo was overjoyed. He solemnly bowed to Liu Fang and said: “Thank you for your trust, Miss. I will never forget today’s promise. I also hereby promise that as long as I am the emperor, you can do whatever you want in this world!”
Liu Fang smiled as she filled the cup with tea and said, “Your Highness makes such a promise, are you not afraid that one day in the future I will become arrogant from your favor and prideful from my contributions?”
Murong Zhuo smiled and said, “I trust you, just as you trust me.”
Liu Fang lifted the teacup and said to Murong Zhuo, “In that case, today’s promise is hereby concluded.”
Murong Zhuo also poured tea, raised his teacup, and said, “Never will we betray each other!”
“Never betray each other!”
The two of them drank the tea in the cup in one go, then stretched out their hands and clapped their hands as a sign of alliance. Afterward, they exchanged a glance and smiled, a perfect understanding between them!
From that moment on, the beginning of a prosperous era lasting over two hundred years——The prosperous era of Emperor Wen was set. It was on that night that these two individuals, who would later leave a bold and lasting mark in the annals of history as eternal wise emperors and legendary ministers, had established their bond!
The elderly Emperor Yanwen also found it incredible when reminisced. Back then, they had so easily formed such a life-and-death pact and made such a solemn promise.
Moreover, in the next few decades, they fulfilled their dreams and kept their promises!
They were lifelong close friends, as well as each other’s mentors, and above all, they were true confidants!
The tale of an emperor and his minister became a legacy, passed down through the centuries and celebrated for a thousand years!
This was a story for later, let’s return to the present.
After Liu Fang and Murong Zhuo discussed the matter, Liu Fang grabbed Murong Zhuo by the collar, dragged him along, and walked out.
Chen Fang and others who were waiting outside the door were all stunned when they saw this: (⊙o⊙)! !
What’s going on? Why is Miss (the Grand Princess) grabbing the crown prince by the collar?
Liu Fang dragged Murong Zhuo along, her face cold and silent. When they reached the main gate, she simply threw him out.
Murong Zhuo was thrown and almost fell down, but Hong Bao quickly stepped forward to support him.
He turned around and said to Liu Fang in a playful tone: “Miss Liu, you are younger than me and also beautiful, right? It’s only natural for me to feel admiration and want to take you as my concubine. Why did you go from speaking so nicely to suddenly getting physical? Honestly, you’ve made my neck hurt from how tight you were holding it. ”
Chen Fang widened his eyes: (⊙o⊙)!!
He couldn’t have heard that right, could he?
Was what the crown prince said true?!
He probably didn’t want to live anymore!
Why didn’t Miss slap him to death?
Bi Yan also wore a shocked expression, not to mention the others.
All of them: (⊙o⊙)!!
Hong Bao was almost scared to death: Your Highness, please, let’s not make a fuss, alright?
Why did you have to fall for Miss Liu, the Grand Princess? Why not someone else?
Didn’t you know that it was precisely because His Majesty was afraid you might cause trouble that His Majesty had specially made Miss Liu a Grand Princess?
The Grand Princess was in the same generation as His Majesty!
That was your aunt!!
Even if she was young and beautiful, she was now officially your aunt!
How could you have said such a thing, that you wanted to take her as a concubine?
You must be trying to get yourself beaten to death by her, right?
Hong Bao supported Murong Zhuo and said, “Your Highness, you are drunk and talking nonsense. Let me help you back to the mansion to rest.”
After saying that, he unleashed an unprecedented burst of strength. Before Murong Zhuo could say anything, he grabbed him and dragged him toward the carriage, directly stuffing him inside. He then slammed the door shut, locking him in.
Hong Bao turned around, bowed respectfully to Liu Fang, and with a flattering smile said, “Princess, please forgive him. His Highness has had too much to drink today and is a bit out of his mind. I will take him back to the manor now and have him apologize to you tomorrow!”
Liu Fang smiled coldly and said, “No need, I will seek justice from His Majesty myself!”
Hong Bao’s face suddenly turned bitter, and looked at Liu Fang with pleading eyes, saying, “Princess, I beg you, please don’t report this to His Majesty. Otherwise, His Highness will be confined to his quarters again.”
It was only because Miss Liu came to the capital that His Majesty allowed His Highness to come out. Now, it’s all for nothing—he’ll be locked up again.
However, Liu Fang paid no attention to his pleading and simply turned around and walked inside.
Hong Bao made a bitter face, shook his head helplessly and sighed. He opened the door and got into the carriage. The carriage moved slowly, left the Princess Mansion, and gradually headed toward the East Palace.
Chen Fang followed Liu Fang inside, leaving Bi Yan, Hong Cang, Zhong Yong, and a group of other palace servants standing at the door looking at each other in bewilderment.
Chen Fang caught up to Liu Fang and said, “Miss, what are you…”
The anger that had been on Liu Fang’s face earlier had disappeared, and she returned to her usual calm demeanor..
She said to Chen Fang calmly, “Have Hong Cang come see me.”
“Yes.”
Chen Fang had been with Liu Fang for a longer time, so upon hearing her words and seeing her current expression, he immediately had a vague understanding of what was going on.
He went to find Hong Cang at the gate and said, “Miss is looking for you.”
Hong Cang was surprised. He looked at Chen Fang’s expression, which was calm and composed, revealing nothing at all.
He bowed slightly and said, “Thank you, Lord Chen, for delivering the message. I will go right away.”
Chen Fang nodded, then took Zhong Yong with him to handle other matters.
Bi Yan also regained her composure and followed Hong Cang to find Liu Fang.
Liu Fang had already changed into new clothes in the main courtyard bedroom and was sitting in the warm hall, drinking tea and waiting for them.
The entire warm hall was eerily quiet, with all the servants of the main courtyard having been taken away by Cheng Huo.
When Bi Yan saw the state of the main courtyard, her heart trembled: Could it be that Miss wants to… kill them?
In the Zhengde hall, the display of martial prowess by Liu Fang had both shocked and frightened Bi Yan.
In reality, she simply wanted to avoid the Sixth Prince’s entanglement and had no intention of getting involved in the struggles of the nobility.
Hong Cang’s heart sank as he slowly walked into the warm hall. He bowed respectfully to Liu Fang who was sitting on the couch. On the other hand, Bi Yan obediently bowed and stepped aside, becoming as quiet as a chicken.
Liu Fang looked at Hong Cang and said, “Tomorrow, go to Tianbao Hall and order some medicinal herbs for the mansion. The list is with Cheng Huo, just go to him and ask for it. Remember, you must go in person.”
When Hong Chang heard this, although he didn’t understand, he still bowed and responded: “Yes, Your Highness, I will take care of it tomorrow.”
“Un, go ahead.”
Hong Cang bowed and then left. Liu Fang turned to look at Bi Yan and asked, “Has the Empress sent anyone to contact you?”
When Bi Yan heard this, her face turned pale. With a thud, she kneeled on the ground, bowed her head, and said, “Your Highness, I have not been in contact with Her Majesty the Empress. Please, judge me fairly!”
She really hasn’t!
Liu Fang smiled and said, “Get up. I know you don’t have this intention. However, the Empress probably already knows that I value you, so she will send someone to contact you. Don’t be afraid, just receive the information and tell me, I will tell you what to do.”
When Bi Yan heard this, she thought for a moment and then suddenly understood: That’s right.
When the Empress selected maidservants to serve the princess, many of them came from within her own palace. If it hadn’t been for Bi Yan’s cleverness and the fact that she earned the Sixth Prince’s favor, the Empress probably wouldn’t have thought of her.
Only then did Bi Yan breathe a sigh of relief, straightened up and said to Liu Fang: “Your Highness, Don’t worry, I know what to do.”
Liu Fang smiled and said, “Get up. Don’t kneel down. Look at you, you’re so scared.”
Bi Yan blushed slightly. She smiled, stood up, and said to Liu Fang: “It is because I am timid.”
Liu Fang shook her head and said, “Alright, I know you were really scared today, but you kept holding it together. Go rest now. Tomorrow, you don’t need to be on duty. I need to take care of some things in the mansion.”
When Bi Yan heard this and thought about the situation in the main courtyard, she immediately understood. She bowed respectfully and said, “Yes, Your Highness, I will take my leave now.”
Liu Fang nodded slightly, watched Bi Yan leave, turned her head to look at the room full of luxury, and smiled gently. Today, she had had her fill, but tomorrow, there would be more excitement to come.
One after another, it’s truly a lively and bustling scene!
Tuoba Yaoheng and the other two have been under the watch of Liu Fang’s people all along. Now, they were being held in a room inside the guest courtyard.
Chen Fang came alone and walked into the room. He said to Tuoba Yaoheng who was sitting on the couch, “Third Prince, I have been sent by the young lady to deliver a message to you.”
After saying that, he handed over the piece of paper that Cheng Huo had written.
Tuoba Yaoheng took it, raised his eyebrows and asked, “Why? Miss Liu doesn’t even have time to see me now?”
Chen Fang smiled and said, “That’s not the case. It’s just that my young lady felt that there’s no need to see you, so she sent me instead.”
